Strat vs Les Paul

Sandy2 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:43 am **Posts:** 23

I have 3 Strats which I love, one of which is a 1972 sunburst/maple neck which my father bought for me when I was 16, still in super great shape. In 2005, I decided to invest in a Gibson and went straight to the Gibson dealer in my area. I had my eye on a high-end Les Paul Supreme. I had the same reaction most of you had - guitar was too heavy, the neck didn't feel right, and most importantly, I wasn't happy with the sound. I must have tried about 20 Les Pauls in the store, including a 3-pickup Custom/Black Beauty. Was not impressed. I also tried an ES-335 and 137. On my way out of the store, I spotted an ES-175 jazz guitar. Since Steve Howe of Yes raved about this guitar, I decided to try it and was greatly impressed. The neck felt perfect, the body balanced nicely on my lap, and most importantly, the sound was unbelievable. I bought it on the spot and haven't been disappointed one bit. I still love my Strats but the Gibson ES-175 was a welcome addition to my family of guitars. The quality and workmanship are perfect. Interestingly, most of the ES-175 owners on the Gibson.com website don't have Les Pauls as their main solid body... they all have STRATS! Go figure...

bobbya · **Posted:** Sun Feb 27, 2011 9:05 pm

My next guitar will definitely be an ES-175-possibly my favorite model of guitar, along with Strats, but I've never owned one. It always feels like "the one" when I play a 175.

tc rocker · **Joined:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:31 pm **Posts:** 175

I have one of each. Plus other guitars and basses. Each guitar I love for different reasons, they're like being my "kids". Since I don't have any real ones?
I used to be anti fender and anti gibson, cause of so many other brands out there? But there's reasons why fenders & gibsons are the top brands. Each with great tones. I love my les paul, and my strat. Love the sound of my strat thru my marshall & my les paul thru my fender deluxe cranked up. Glad I got both my guitars now cause prices are going thru the roof, for the real deal guitars?

miguel.dirix · **Joined:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:56 am **Posts:** 48

I have an Am. Standard Strat and a Epi LP (beautiful honey burst), both lovely guitars, I frequently visit guitar stores, and try out different guitars, especially Gibsons, they (mostly) sound so good, especially the vintage ones, and they really look stunning! So there I am, drooling on that '58 LP, trying some Knopfler tunes while thinking wich kidney I should sell to afford such a thing of beauty..... and then, I pick up my strat, and realize that there's no guitar that "feels" better, perfect neck, body, sound! If you really love guitars and guitar playing, you will love both!

budglo · **Joined:** Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:17 pm **Posts:** 1986

miguel.dirix wrote:

I have an Am. Standard Strat and a Epi LP (beautiful honey burst), both lovely guitars, I frequently visit guitar stores, and try out different guitars, especially Gibsons, they (mostly) sound so good, especially the vintage ones, and they really look stunning! So there I am, drooling on that '58 LP, trying some Knopfler tunes while thinking wich kidney I should sell to afford such a thing of beauty..... and then, I pick up my strat, and realize that there's no guitar that "feels" better, perfect neck, body, sound! If you really love guitars and guitar playing, you will love both!

I feel the same as you.I have a nice Epi LP Custom and 2 strats.I like the LP for what it does, but not as versitile as the strat and not as comfy to play.

bradfingers · **Joined:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:21 pm **Posts:** 19

i like gitars

JBat · **Joined:** Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:42 am **Posts:** 80

Pinetreebob wrote:

I have an American Strat in sunburst and a blonde Highway 1 Tele and really like them both. I have been lusting after a Sunburst Les Paul Standard and after reading the posts I am rethinking making the leap. It appears that some new ones have QC issues. Maybe I should look at used, of so what years seem to have the best quality?
It appears that the 70s through the mid 80s Gibsons had problems because of bad management so probably something after the mid 80s might be the way to go. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Bob

I wouldn't let this thread put you off buying a Les Paul; they are great guitars. Just play a few first and buy the one that sings to you the most. I've personally never played a Lester in a store that had the issues mentioned here, but of course there are some that come off the line that are going to be lemons. Happens with every company.

JBat · **Joined:** Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:42 am **Posts:** 80

I have two American Strats, and a Gibby LP and '61 Reissue SG, and I like all the guitars very much. Truth be told, it's the Strats I play the most, but last night I was playing the LP and there is something definitely very cool about the sound you get out of those powerful humbuckers. The SG has '57 Classic pups and the sounds I can get out of those are amazing, too. The sustain and growl is hard to match with a Strat's single coils.

To me, these guitars are complimentary of each other and most guitarists are going to have examples of both in their collections. But I think deep down inside I am a Fender guy. The newer Strats exude tremendous quality and value, and every time I pick mine up I am reminded of that. There is something about a Strat that is, and will always be, timeless. I guess the same can be said about the Les Paul, but there is just something about the Strat that strikes a "chord" with me. :mrgreen:

tc rocker · **Joined:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:31 pm **Posts:** 175

I live in an area with 3 guitars centers. I pulled off every les paul off the rack, even some for over $5000.00. Not les pauls are created equal. Some have thin necks, wide necks, now even multi width necks. Some with P90's, burstbuckers, 57 classics, 490's and 498's.
Just cause a les paul says les paul, doesn't mean your gonna sound like Slash, Peter Frampton, or Billy Gibbons. Also there's different models. LP Standard, LP Classic, LP deluxe, LP traditional, & LP studios. So have some fun & play every one on the wall to make YOUR signature sound......
I found mine in a college town music store. A LP Standard Limited edition, she's sweet.
All guitars feel different. Don't get me wrong I love my strat too.....

tc rocker · **Joined:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:31 pm **Posts:** 175

And the LP Custom.

T2Stratman · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:02 pm

I think it boils down to Karma or something...I started out on a Les Paul and it was a fantastic guitar, but when I got that first Strat something inside me clicked and I knew I was home.

Now that does not mean I don't have a couple Gibsons (61 SG Reissue, ES335 and Les Paul Jr.) and to be honest from time to time I play them and they sound great, but when I pick up the Strat it is like after a long trip coming home to sleep in your own bed.

I just think some people are Les Paul types and some are Strat types or ES 335 types, you get the idea...

FWIW

T2

ozrv · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:08 pm

arena man wrote:

I purchased an American Standard aprox 2 years ago. Since I have a serious guirtar addiction my impulse was pulling me towards a Les Paul. There is a buzz about the Gibson les Paul and something inside me wanted to make sure i got one. I decided to play it smart and rent one for awhile to kick the tires. I rented a brand new Gibson les Paul Custom ($2,500 Cdn). Really nice guitar. Felt good and played well. I hammered on it for a couple of days and thought i would make the comparisum to the Epi. I rented a Brand New Epi Les Paul Custom ($795). I realised two things. First while i realise that a Gibson may be an investment i honestly couldent find the differance to justify the additional cost. The Epi was well constructed and used quality parts.
Second, Im so glad that i rented these guitars. After putting the Les Paul's back in their case i picked up my strat.I realised (again) that my Strat is truly a beautiful well constructed instrament. To me it seems like a nicer built guitar. Sounded fantastic and again,for me, is just easer to play. It felt more open and i am able to navigate around the fret board with ease. This is what i needed to keep from rushing out and spending $2,500
Ano other opinions on the Strat vs les Paul?

I get it about the 2500K on the custom...But hey you don't have to buy a custom. I just bought a LP 50's tribute which is a beautifully constructed guitar based on the studio with P90's a gold top also and i paid 1300.... Jeezez man no matter how nice the epi is i wouldnt want to cringe every time i look at the headstock for a few hundred....And you'd prolly buy a 50's over there for what 950? Serious.... LP's come in other models than the top of the range....

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